EAST NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Family members are remembering two elderly brothers killed in a weekend house fire on Tiffany Drive in East Nashville.
The two brothers, both in their seventies, were inside the home at the time of the fire. Officials say Fred Jones died in a back bedroom. His brother Frank was taken to the hospital with severe burns but did not survive.
It's a loss not only felt by their family but also the community.
Their cousin Denise Jones tells us Fred, the older brother, was a disabled Vietnam veteran. A stroke seven years ago left Fred bedridden. The younger brother Frank, Denise says, retired from his teaching job at Tennessee State University after nearly 20 years to take care of Fred. He taught speech pathology there.
"It breaks my heart that they suffered," said Jones, "Frank was burnt over 50 percent of body and we think it was because he was trying to get Fred."
Frank was also a talented musician who often played at The Bluebird Cafe. Host Barbara Cloyd tells us Frank was a regular and would often perform original songs.
"Frank was a man who loved life and people and had a big heart he poured into his songs," said Cloyd.
Denise says the two brothers lived life to the fullest and always tried to find the light in everything. The two, originally from Chicago, Illinois, have lived in their East Nashville home for more than 20 years.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The memorial and burial services have not been finalized just yet.
The family has set up a Gofundme page to help with expenses.
